About the SMC

The Southern Movement Committee organizes for racial justice and human rights in Tennessee through community-led lawyering, civic engagement, community organizing, and participatory democracy.

We are organizers, artists, educators, youth leaders, and movement lawyers working alongside directly impacted communities to implement progressive, transformative programs that tackle systemic violence, racism, and economic inequality through issue-based campaigns.

As a community organizing and civic engagement organization, we are committed to base building and leadership development to shift power, strengthen democracy, and enable communities to govern themselves.

Our activities include civic engagement events, base building, community outreach, and leadership development to strengthen grassroots power and advance community-driven change in Tennessee.

CAREERS

Organizing Manager

  • The Southern Movement Committee (SMC) is seeking a purpose-driven, strategic, and creative Organizing Manager to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about racial justice, grassroots organizing, and participatory democracy in the South.

    The Organizing Manager will be responsible for co-developing and implementing SMC’s organizing, and base building strategy. The organizing manager is responsible for implementing and managing SMC’s campaigns and base building plan with SMC leadership. Additionally the organizing manager will manage and support SMC organizers with base building and campaign related tasks. 

    This job requires someone who is motivated, collaborative, and is committed to a radical vision of democracy and movement building. The best person for this position takes initiative, aligns with our values, has great communication skills, has strong relationship building skills, and can manage multiple relationships and projects with different timelines. 

    This is a full-time position located in Nashville, Tennessee, with possible monthly travel.

    • Develop organizing and base building strategy with clear goals, objectives, and timeline 

    • Develop and coordinate SMC campaigns and base building activities 

    • Manage relationships with members of base, member leaders, and partners 

    • Engage in regular outreach and recruitment 

    • Develop and implement political education curriculum 

    • Evaluate and adapt SMC campaigns as necessary

    • Supervise program/campaign staff including performance planning and review, activity planning, and coaching

    • Develop materials, work plans and accountability systems for implementation of organizing plans

    • Represent SMC in coalitions, at strategic conferences, gatherings, and etc

    • Coordinate outreach for SMC events 

    • Staying aware of current events and policy decisions that affect campaign strategy

    • Includes local driving to partner meetings, outreach, and other SMC engagement activities 

    • Passionate about racial justice, community organizing, participatory democracy, and movement building in the US South 

    • A strong storyteller who understands how to communicate with different demographics

    • Skilled in writing for different audiences including members, press, etc

    • Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects 

    • A collaborative team player who can also work independently and meet deadlines

    • 5+ years experience in a similar position 

    • 8+ community organizing 

    • Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines

    • Ability to navigate a fast paced environment while maintaining SMC’s macro strategy

    • Excellent Communication skills 

    • Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills

    • Ability to use and navigate google office space, Mailchimp, zoom, and social media websites

    • Ability to synthesize information and build consensus 

    • Ability to build and sustain relationships with members of our base, and member leaders

    • Strong analytical skills, particularly in regards to socio-political, racial justice, and economic contexts

    • Strong communication, negotiation, and diplomacy skills

    • Enjoys and excels at networking and building relationships

    • Excellent outreach and networking skills

    • Demonstrated leadership skills, including motivation, strategic direction, conflict resolution

    • Willingness to work irregular hours and to travel

    • Strong project management skills

    • Experience working with students and youth

    • Experience with coaching and mentorship

    • Strong writing and analytical skills

    • Base pay ranges from $70,000 - $85,000 (full-time)      

    • 10 Vacation days per year

    • 12 Paid holidays

    • 14 Wellness/sick days

    • Paid family leave

    • Medical and Dental Insurance + dependents 

    • $2,000 Professional development each year

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to info@oursmc.org. We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis.

Start date, January 2026. 

Member Engagement Coordinator

  • The Southern Movement Committee (SMC) is seeking a purpose-driven, strategic, and creative Member Engagement Coordinator  to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about racial justice, grassroots organizing, and participatory democracy in the South.

    The Member Engagement Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating and managing membership recruitment, onboarding, and support. This role will engage members inside of the organization while also supporting members as they navigate supportive services needs. Additionally, the Member Engagement Coordinator will act as a liaison between SMC, schools, and other community programs. 

    We are looking for someone who is passionate about community service, grassroots organizing, and collective care. This job requires someone who is motivated, collaborative, and is committed to a radical vision of democracy and movement building. The best person for this position takes initiative, aligns with our values, has great communication skills, has strong relationship building skills, develops strong partnerships and provides support to members enabling them to engage  deeper in organizing work.

    This is a full-time position located in Nashville, Tennessee, with possible monthly travel.

    • Coordinate support members by connecting them to appropriate resources (housing, legal aid, health care services, etc) 

    • Maintain updated knowledge of local and statewide social services, mutual aid networks, and emergency assistance programs

    • Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and service providers

    • Co-develop and implement member training program with organizing team 

    • Manage member management system 

    • Onboard new members

    • Collaborate with organizing team to identify systemic patterns and organize for solutions based on lived experiences

    • Train and support volunteers and members to assist with outreach and member onboard where appropriate

    • Participate in organizational meetings, events, and trainings as needed

    • Coordinate and build relationships with members and youth assembly parents 

    • Coordinate and communicate monthly emails and texts to SMC members 

    • Act as student support liaison for youth assembly members 

    • This role includes local driving for meetings, events, and errands. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

    • Demonstrates passion for racial justice, grassroots organizing, and collective care with alignment to SMC’s mission and values.

    • Builds and maintains trust with members, youth, families, schools, and community partners.

    • Manages multiple priorities effectively and communicates clearly in both written and verbal formats.

    • Works independently, takes ownership of tasks, and meets goals and deadlines without needing close supervision.

    • Understands and has experience supporting  the needs of Black, brown, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and working-class communities in the South.

    • Skilled in navigating and connecting people to supportive services such as housing, healthcare, and legal aid with care and efficiency

    • 3+ years of experience in a similar position 

    • 5+ years in member engagement, education, and/or social work 

    • Experience facilitating, training, and skill-building in schools or community spaces 

    • Commitment to SMC’s vision, mission, campaigns, and programs 

    • Ability to work with community members, community partners, and other stakeholders

    • Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines

    • Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills

    • The ability to adapt as necessary and work on teams

    • Exceptional organizational, written, and verbal communication skills

    • Driven, takes initiative, and self-motivated

    • Highly organized, able to meet goals in multiple areas with established timelines

    • Demonstrated ability to work independently to carry out assignments to completion 

    • Ability to work Monday - Friday, with weeknights and weekends as needed

    • Experience in education, case management, social work, or resource navigation is a plus but not required

    • Familiarity with the communities we serve, especially Black, brown, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and working-class communities in the South

    • Experience navigating community and/or government based supportive services

    • Base pay ranges from $62,000 - $70,000 a year full-time.

    • 10 Vacation days per year

    • 12 Paid holidays

    • 14 Wellness/sick days

    • Paid family leave

    • Medical and Dental Insurance + dependents 

    • $2,000 Professional development each year

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to info@oursmc.org. We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis.

Start date, January 2026.